Power systems and enclosures having improved cooling air flow

ABSTRACT

Power systems and enclosures having improved cooling air flow are disclosed. An example power system includes an enclosure; an air inlet location at a first location on an exterior of the enclosure to permit intake of air from the exterior of the enclosure to an interior of the enclosure; an air exhaust location at a second location on the exterior of the enclosure to exhaust the air taken in through the air inlet location; and an air routing path defined by the enclosure to direct the air from the air inlet location to the air exhaust location, in order: through one or more first compartments in the enclosure, the one or more first compartments containing at least one of a compressor, a generator, or power conversion circuitry; and through one or more second compartments, the one or more second compartments comprising an engine and a muffler.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/329,727, filed Apr. 29, 2016, entitled “Power Systems and EnclosuresHaving Improved Cooling Air Flow.” The entirety of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/329,727 is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, engine-driven power systems (e.g., generators/aircompressors/welders) are contained within a metal enclosure thatprovides environmental protection for the equipment and provides asafety, sound, and aesthetic barrier for the operators. Many differenttypes of enclosures have been used for conventional power systems.Conventional enclosures allow air to enter and exit the enclosure tocool the engine and/or generator components.

SUMMARY

Power systems and enclosures having improved air flow are disclosed,substantially as illustrated by and described in connection with atleast one of the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example power system arranged withinan enclosure.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the example power system withselected panels of the enclosure removed.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the example power system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the example power system of FIG. 1, viewed froma side including the air intake location.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of selected components of the power systemof FIG. 1, showing brackets in a base and showing a compressor drivefrom a shaft of a generator.

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of selected components of the powersystem shown in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views of selected components of the powersystem of FIG. 1, showing brackets in the base that support thecomponents and provide an air routing path from the air intake locationto the engine fan.

FIG. 9 is another perspective view of selected components of the powersystem of FIG. 1, showing brackets in the base that support thecomponents and provide an air routing path from the air intake locationto the engine fan.

FIG. 10 is a cutaway perspective view of selected components of thepower system of FIG. 1, showing an air routing path and support bracketsfor a compressor, a generator, and an engine.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart representative of an example method to installthe example power system of FIGS. 1-10.

The figures are not necessarily to scale. Where appropriate, similar oridentical reference numbers are used to refer to similar or identicalcomponents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Conventionally, doors are located on multiple sides of the equipment toprovide access to all of the needed service points, and inlet andexhaust louvers are in multiple locations so as to let air in and out ofthe enclosure as needed for cooling. Examples of engine-driven productsthat have enclosures are home-standby generators, portable generatorsand/or welders, and portable air compressors. The enclosure is oftenwell suited for the use of the equipment and has multiple access panels(e.g., doors) and/or air inlet and exit openings (louvers/holes).

Disclosed examples provide an improved cooling air flow throughenclosures including engine-driven generators. In some examples, animproved construction and/or configuration of engine-driven generatorsin enclosures simplify machine design and have airflow paths that allowthe unit to be placed in, operate in, and be serviced in typical truckmounted installations.

Disclosed examples improve cooling air flow by having one air inletlocation for all cooling air located at one end of the enclosure, andone exit location for all exiting hot air at the top of the enclosure.Disclosed examples further include an air routing path through, inorder, a front compressor/welder compartment in the enclosure,underneath the engine mounted in the enclosure, through the engine, andthen exiting past a muffler out the top of the enclosure. The exampleair flow configuration allows the unit to be installed into truck and/orother tight applications with zero clearance on more than one side.Because there are no access or airflow inlets or exits present onmultiple sides of disclosed example enclosures, and only one side has anairflow intake, the zero clearance can be achieved on the other sides.

Disclosed examples improve the cooling air flow by thermally aligningthe multiple components needing cooling air so that one airflow path cancool multiple systems and components. Specifically the airflow pathincludes air entering through the front panel, then passing an aircompressor oil cooler, then passing welding/battery charging components,then passing a generator and/or an engine, then passing a muffler, thenexits the enclosure through the top cover above the engine and muffler.This alignment places the components that benefit from being cooled bythe coolest air first in the airflow path (e.g., the air compressorcooler and the weld components). The engine and/or the generator, whichcan be cooled with pre-heated air, are cooled next. The engine muffler,which operates very hot and can be cooled with the hottest air, isplaced last in the airflow path. This thermal alignment is achieved dueto the placement of the air compressor cooler directly at the air inletlouvers and by having an airflow path underneath the engine to allow theengine to drive the generator and compressor located near the front ofthe enclosure and the engine fan at the back of the enclosure to pull inair to cool the engine. The engine and muffler are located in a hot sideof the enclosure which is separated by baffling from the cold side ofthe enclosure. The cold side is the suction or inlet side of the enginefan and the hot side is the pressure or exit side. This separationdefines the cooling paths and simplifies the product by allowing theengine fan to move all (or the majority) of the cooling air for all ofthese different systems thereby reducing the number or size of fans inthe cooling circuit.

Disclosed examples provide single side service access for the componentsof the power systems. For example, a compressor and an engine requireservice access for oil replacement, filter replacement, and/or any othermaintenance tasks. Disclosed examples include enclosures in which theservice access points are all located on one side and/or through one ormore movable top covers of the enclosure. The single side and/or topcover access allows the other sides of the unit to be placed withsubstantially zero clearance up against walls of an installation site(e.g., a work truck body and/or other objects). In some examples, theenclosure has air intake and/or air exhaust locations on the same and/ordifferent sides of the enclosure, which provide additional restrictionson clearance. In some examples, at least three sides of the enclosurecan be provided with substantially zero clearance in an installation ofthe power system.

In disclosed examples, one or more components are mounted on bracketswithin the enclosure that allow air flow underneath the components.Relatively large components of the power system, such as the compressor,the engine, and/or the generator, are installed on the brackets tosecure the components while also providing an air routing pathunderneath the engine.

In conventional power systems, multiple air flow paths or fans areneeded. Additionally, in conventional power systems, an air compressoris cooled by a dedicated fan or by a cooler that is integrated with theengine cooling system, such as a radiator. Disclosed examples achievethermal alignment of critical temperatures of the power systemcomponents along a single air routing path through the power system.That is, the air routing path and the components are arranged indisclosed examples such that the components requiring the coolesttemperatures are cooled first and the components permitting the highesttemperatures are cooled last, with temperature tolerances of thecomponents increasing along the air routing path. For example, an aircompressor cooler has a lowest critical temperature of a set of examplecomponents and is located first along the air routing path. A welder, agenerator, and electrical power conversion circuitry have next highestcritical temperatures and are positioned next along the air routing pathafter the air compressor cooler. The engine has the next highestcritical temperature, followed by the muffler, and are therefore thenext components located along the air routing path. Accordingly, indisclosed examples one air routing path is capable of successfullycooling all of the components.

In disclosed examples, an oil cooler of an air compressor is locatednear (e.g., immediately after) an air inlet to the enclosure. Incombination with the flow of the air routing path, the placement of theoil cooler enables the compressor to be cooled by the engine fan eventhough the compressor cooler is on the opposite end of the power systemenclosure. As a result, the compressor and engine can be oriented asappropriate for the compressor to be driven by the engine-generatorassembly, while still allowing the engine fan to cool the compressor.

In some examples, a small generator fan is present to specifically coolthe generator windings. Like the engine fan, the generator fan moves airfrom the first compartment to the second compartment to maintain asingle air inlet and a single air outlet. The generator fan can besignificantly smaller since the generator fan is only cooling thegenerator.

In conventional power systems, the air compressor is located next toand/or below the engine to enable connection between the compressorshaft and the engine shaft via a belt. In disclosed examples, an aircompressor is elevated above the generator centerline to enable the weldcomponents to be located underneath the compressor, which places theweld components in the air flow path as the second cooled componentafter the compressor cooler. The location of the weld componentsimmediately after the compressor in the air flow path eliminates theneed for a dedicated air flow path and/or fan to cool the weldcomponents, and/or allows weld components and/or the compressor to fitin a smaller enclosure size. Disclosed examples also reduce thedifficulty of servicing the air compressor, relative to conventionalpower systems, because the higher location in the enclosure positionsthe service points closer to top cover openings and/or side dooropenings that are generally easier to access for maintenance personnel.

In disclosed examples, the air compressor is driven by the end of anarmature shaft directly connected to the engine crankshaft, such thatthe crankshaft and armature shaft are on the same axis and operate asone shaft. In conventional multi-output engine-driven power systems(e.g., power systems that include a generator, compressor, welder,and/or battery chargers) have a generator that is parallel to the engineand driven by a belt. By directly connecting the generator to the engine(e.g., and not connecting the compressor to the engine), disclosedexamples reduce the number of moving parts (e.g., only the compressor isbelt-driven instead of both the generator and the compressor beingbelt-driven), which results in greater reliability and a more physicallycompact system. The direct connection of the generator to the engineplaces the components with the axis of rotation along the length of theenclosure, which puts the side of the engine and the compressor facingthe side of the enclosure that permits easy service access (e.g., thesame side of the enclosure). Disclosed examples offset the centerlinesof the armature shaft of the generator and the compressor, to enableinstallation of a belt to connect the generator and the compressor. Theoffset is achieved in disclosed examples by raising a height of thecompressor above the generator.

In conventional power systems, the fuel tank is often external to theenclosure or integral to the engine assembly. The placement of theengine in a second compartment of the enclosure, the placement of thecompressor and the welding circuitry in a first compartment of theenclosure, and the placement of the generator in the middle of theenclosure allows the fuel tank to be adjacent to the generator in thecentral region of the unit. The placement of the components and the fueltank is an improvement over conventional power systems by including thefuel tank within the enclosure with separation from the engine and byenabling a higher fuel tank capacity within the enclosure (e.g.,including the fuel tank in the first compartment, while the engine is inthe second compartment). The inclusion of the fuel tank within theenclosure reduces or avoids the need for an installer to include aseparate fuel tank and/or from requiring a larger power systemfootprint. Furthermore, the location of the fuel tank in the first,lower temperature, compartment contributes to keeping fuel temperatureslow, which reduces the likelihood of fuel vapor lock.

As used herein, power conversion circuitry refers to circuitry and/orelectrical components that convert electrical power from one or morefirst forms (e.g., power output by a generator) to one or more secondforms having any combination of voltage, current, frequency, and/orresponse characteristics. The power conversion circuitry may includesafety circuitry, output selection circuitry, measurement and/or controlcircuitry, and/or any other circuits to provide appropriate features.

As used herein, the terms “first” and “second” may be used to enumeratedifferent components or elements of the same type, and do notnecessarily imply any particular order. For example, while in someexamples a first compartment is located prior to a second compartment inan airflow path, the terms “first compartment” and “second compartment”do not imply any specific order in which air flows through thecompartments.

Disclosed example power systems have improved airflow and include anenclosure; an air inlet location at a first location on an exterior ofthe enclosure to permit air intake from the exterior of the enclosure toan interior of the enclosure; an air exhaust location at a secondlocation on the exterior of the enclosure to exhaust the air taken inthrough the air inlet location; and an air routing path defined by theenclosure to direct air from the air inlet location to the air exhaustlocation. The air routing path traverses, in order, through one or morefirst compartments in the enclosure, the one or more first compartmentscontaining at least one of a compressor, a generator, or powerconversion circuitry, and through one or more second compartments, theone or more second compartments containing an engine and a muffler.

In some examples, the first location is on a side of the enclosure andthe second location is at a top of the enclosure when the power systemis installed in a predetermined orientation. In some examples, the powersystem is configured to provide adequate air flow with zero installationclearance on sides of the enclosure that do not include the air inletlocation or the air exhaust location. In some example power systems, theenclosure does not include any other air inlet locations.

In some example power systems, the air routing path routes the air tocool at least one of the compressor, the power conversion circuitry, thegenerator, the engine, or the muffler. In some examples, the air routingpath is further to route the air to an air intake of the engine, theengine to use at least a portion of the air in the air routing path forcombustion. In some such examples, the engine is arranged in theenclosure to have the air intake of the engine near a second side of theenclosure that is opposite the side of the enclosure having the airinlet location, where the air routing path routes the air the length ofthe enclosure from the air inlet location to the air intake of theengine.

In some examples, the air routing path includes a separation barrierbetween first and second compartments, the fan to urge air from thefirst one or more compartments to the second one or more compartments.In some examples, the compressor extracts air from the air routing pathand pressurize the air, the engine to provide power to the compressor.In some examples, the air routing path directs the air to cool multiplecomponents within the enclosure, the multiple components comprising theengine.

Some example power systems further include an engine fan to pull the airfrom the air inlet location through the first compartments and to pushthe air through the engine and to the air exhaust location through theone or more second compartments. In some examples, the enclosure isconfigured to provide service access to the interior of the enclosure toprovide access to serviceable components of the power system from thesame side of the enclosure. In some such examples, the serviceablecomponents comprise the compressor and the engine.

In some examples, the air routing path includes a volume underneath anengine mounted in the enclosure that includes the first compartment andis located under the second compartment. In some examples, the airrouting path reverses a direction of travel along at least one axisbetween the one or more first compartments and the one or more secondcompartments. Some examples further include one or more brackets orbraces to support the engine and the generator within the enclosure andto define the air routing path.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example power system 100 arrangedwithin an enclosure 102. The enclosure 102 is primarily constructed withsheet metal, and may include multiple panels. One or more of the panelsmay be removable and/or one or more of the panels may open to permitaccess.

The example power system 100 of FIG. 1 is an engine-driven power system.The system 100 includes an engine 104 that drives a generator 106 togenerate electrical power. The engine 104 receives fuel from a fuel tank108. The generator 106 provides the electrical power to an aircompressor 110 and/or power conversion circuitry 112. The powerconversion circuitry 112 provides one or more types of electrical powersuitable for specific and/or general purpose uses, such as weldingpower, 110VAC and/or 220 VAC power, battery charging power, and/or anyother type of electrical power. The example system 100 may include othercomponents not specifically discussed herein. The components 104-112 arearranged within the enclosure 102 as described herein.

The power system 100, the enclosure 102, and the components 104-112feature an improved construction and configuration that simplifies themachine design and, as described in detail below, have airflow pathsthat allow the unit to be placed in, operate in, and be serviced intruck mounted installations.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the example power system 100 withselected panels of the enclosure 102 and the fuel tank 108 removed. Thearrangements of the engine 104, the generator 106, the air compressor110, and the power conversion circuitry 112 can be more easily seen inFIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the example power system 100 of FIG. 1. Theexample of FIG. 3 illustrates an advantagenous air routing path 301(shown in black arrows through the enclosure 102) that uses an enginefan 302 as the only fan pulling air in through an air inlet location 304and pushing air out through an air exhaust location 306. The air inletlocation 304 is on a first side 308 of the enclosure 102 and the airexhaust location 306 is at a top 308 of the enclosure 102 adjacent amuffler 312.

The enclosure 102 has an improved cooling air flow by having the singleair inlet location 304 for all of the cooling air located at one end ofthe enclosure, and the one air exhaust location 306 for all exiting hotair at the top of the enclosure 102. In some examples, other inletand/or exhaust locations may be included on the enclosure 102 whilemaintaining the air routing path 301 as the primary cooling air flowpath.

The power system 100 has an improved cooling air flow due to thermalalignment of the components 104-112 in the enclosure 102. As shown inFIG. 3, the one air routing path 301 can cool multiple systems andcomponents. The example air routing path travels through and/or around,in order, a front compressor/welder compartment in the enclosure 102,underneath the engine 104 mounted in the enclosure 102, through and/oraround the engine 104, and then past the muffler 312 out the top of theenclosure 102. The example air flow configuration allows the system 100to be installed into truck and/or other tight applications with zeroclearance on more than one side. Because there are no access or airflowinlets or exits present (and/or negligible inlets and/or outletspresent) on multiple sides of disclosed example enclosures, and only oneside has an airflow intake, the zero clearance can be achieved on theother sides.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the air compressor 110 is elevated abovecenterline 314 (e.g., the armature) of the generator 106. By elevatingthe compressor 110, the power conversion circuitry 112 (e.g., weldcomponents) can be located underneath the compressor 110 in the airrouting path as the second cooled component after the compressor 110.The placement of the power conversion circuitry 112 immediately afterthe compressor 110 in the air routing path 301 reduces or eliminates theneed for a dedicated air flow path and/or fan to cool the powerconversion circuitry 112 and/or allows power conversion circuitry 112and/or the compressor 110 to fit in a smaller enclosure 102.

The air compressor 110 is driven by the end of an armature shaft (e.g.,the centerline 314) directly connected to a crankshaft 316 of the engine104, such that the crankshaft 316 and the armature shaft are on the sameaxis and operate as one shaft. By directly connecting the generator 106to the engine 104 (e.g., and not connecting the compressor 110 to theengine 104), the example power system 100 has a reduced number of movingparts because only the compressor 110 is belt-driven, instead of boththe generator 106 and the compressor 110 being belt-driven. Reducing thenumber of moving parts results in greater reliability and a morephysically compact system.

The placement of the compressor 110 above the generator 106 also reducesthe difficulty of servicing the compressor 110, relative to conventionalpower systems, because the higher location in the enclosure positionsthe service points closer to top cover openings and/or side dooropenings that are generally easier to access for maintenance personnel.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the example power system 100 of FIG. 1, viewedfrom a side including the air inlet location 304. In the perspectiveshown in FIG. 4, the air routing path 301 flows into the page and the,upon reaching an end of the enclosure, upward to the engine fan 302.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of selected components of the power systemof FIG. 1, showing brackets 502, 504, 506 in a base and showing acompressor drive 508 from a shaft 510 of a generator 106. As shown inFIG. 5, the compressor drive 508 is offset for the generator shaft 510of the generator 106. FIG. 5 also illustrates the air routing path 301shown in FIG. 3 flowing beneath the brackets 502, 504, 506 from the airinlet location 304 and underneath the engine 104 to an opposite side ofthe enclosure 102 from the air inlet location 304.

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of selected components of the powersystem 100 shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 also illustrates the example airrouting path 301 through the enclosure 102. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6,the enclosure 102 is divided into one or more first compartments 602 andone or more second compartments 604. The first compartment(s) 602include the air compressor 110, the power conversion circuitry 112, andthe generator 106. The second compartment(s) 604 include the engine 104and the muffler 312.

The air routing path 301 directs the air entering through the air inletlocation 304, then to the air compressor 110 (e.g., around an oil coolerof the air compressor 11), then the power conversion circuitry 112(e.g., welding/battery charging components), then around the generator106, around the engine 104, and then the muffler 312. The air then exitsthe enclosure 102 through the top cover above the engine 104 and themuffler 312 via the air exhaust location 306. The thermal alignment ofthe illustrated example places the lower critical temperature coolingcomponents (the air compressor 110 cooler and the power conversioncircuitry 112), which need the coolest air to operate, first in the airrouting path 301. The thermal alignment then places the engine 104and/or the generator 112, which can be cooled with pre-heated air thatcooled the previous components. Finally, the thermal alignment placesthe muffler 312, which operates very hot and can cool with hot air,after the engine 104 and/or the generator 106.

The air routing path 301 reverses a direction of travel after travelingthrough the first compartment(s) 602 and below the engine 104 to theengine fan 302 to the second compartment(s) 604. A separation barrier606 reduces or prevents cooler air in the first compartment(s) 602 frommixing with hotter air in the second compartment(s) 604. The separationbarrier 606 causes a large portion of the air to go through the enginefan 302 to travel from the first compartment(s) 602 to the secondcompartment(s) 604.

While the engine fan 302 is the primary driver of the air through theair routing path 301 (e.g., via suction through the first compartment(s)602 and pressure in the second compartment(s) 604), in some examples,the generator 106 includes a small generator fan to specifically coolthe generator windings. Like the engine fan 302, the generator fan movesair from the first compartment(s) 602 to the second compartment(s) 604to maintain a single air inlet and a single air outlet. The generatorfan can be significantly smaller than the engine fan 302 and is not theprimary driver of the air flow, because the generator fan only cools thegenerator 106. Additionally, the generator fan does not bypass theseparation barrier 606 or permit the hot air from the secondcompartment(s) 604 to mix into the cool air in the first compartment(s)602.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show additional views of selected components of the powersystem 100 of FIG. 1, including the brackets 502, 504, 506 in the basethat support the components 104-112 and define portions of the airrouting path 301 from the air inlet location 304 to the engine fan 302.

FIG. 9 is another perspective view of selected components of the powersystem 100 of FIG. 1, showing the brackets 502, 504, 506 in the basethat support the components 104-112 and provide the air routing path 301from the air inlet location 304 to the engine fan 302.

FIG. 10 is a cutaway perspective view of selected components of thepower system 100 of FIG. 1, showing an air routing path 301 and thesupport brackets 502, 504, 506 for the compressor 110, the generator106, and the engine 104. As shown in FIG. 10, the brackets 502, 504, 506are used to bridge the bottom of the enclosure 102 to create an openchannel for air flow.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart representative of an example method 1100 toinstall the example power system 100 of FIGS. 1-10. For example, themethod 1100 may be performed to install the power system 100 on a worktruck in a manner that provides zero clearance between the power system100 and adjacent surfaces for up to three faces of the enclosure 102that do not provide service access and/or air flow (e.g., two sides andthe bottom), while also providing service access and clearance toprovide sufficient airflow to the power system 100. While the examplemethod 1100 is described with reference to the power system 100, themethod 1100 may be used with other power systems having the same orsimilar air flow and/or service access features.

At block 1102, the power system 100 is positioned at an installationlocation on a work truck in which up to two sides and the bottom of theenclosure 102 have substantially zero clearance, and access to theremaining sides and the top of the enclosure is present. For example,two sides and the bottom of the enclosure 102 may be positioned withsubstantially zero clearance to surfaces of a work truck. Provided theface with the air inlet location 304 (e.g., a first side of theenclosure 102), the face with the air exhaust location 306 (e.g., thetop of the enclosure 102), and the face to provide service access to theengine 104 and the air compressor 110 (e.g., a second side of theenclosure 102) are available, the example power system 100 hassufficient cooling with zero clearance on the remaining faces of theenclosure 102.

At block 1104, the enclosure 102 is secured to the work truck in theposition achieved in block 1102. For example, the enclosure 102 may besecured with bolts, rivets, and/or any other type of fastener orsecuring mechanism to prevent movement of the power system 100 withinthe work truck.

At block 1106, the power system 100 is connected to work truckcomponents. For example, the power system 100 may be connected to outputdifferent types of power to systems provided on the work truck, such aselectric systems, truck systems (e.g., the truck batteries), a controland/or output panel connected to the truck at a location separate fromthe power system 100, pneumatic systems, hydraulic systems, and/or anyother type of system that may be powered by the power system 100. Theexample method 1100 then ends.

Disclosed examples place components and include an enclosure enablesinstallation of a power system tightly against adjacent walls (e.g.,zero clearance) on more than one side. Additionally or alternatively,disclosed examples permit service access for the compressor and enginethrough one side of the unit and through the top of the unit (as may bedesirable in a truck mounted installation). Disclosed examples providean airflow path within the enclosure that is novel, achieves standardmounting of the generator to the engine, and drives the compressor fromthe generator shaft while maintaining one primary airflow cooling paththrough the enclosure.

The thermal alignment of the airflow circuit allows the engine fan tocool more than just the engine. Specifically, the air compressor cooleris cooled by air pulled into the engine by the engine fan. The use ofthe engine fan to move the air enables the use of only one inletlocation and one outlet location, which is beneficial for truck mountedinstallations. The use of the engine fan improves the efficiency of useof the cooling air and/or reduces the number and/or size of coolingfans.

As utilized herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items in thelist joined by “and/or”. As an example, “x and/or y” means any elementof the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words, “x and/ory” means “one or both of x and y”. As another example, “x, y, and/or z”means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x,z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. In other words, “x, y and/or z” means “one ormore of x, y and z”. As utilized herein, the term “exemplary” meansserving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. Asutilized herein, the terms “e.g.,” and “for example” set off lists ofone or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations.

While the present method and/or system has been described with referenceto certain implementations, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes may be made and equivalents may besubstituted without departing from the scope of the present methodand/or system. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the presentdisclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, the presentmethod and/or system are not limited to the particular implementationsdisclosed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A power system having improved airflow, the powersystem comprising: an enclosure; an air inlet location at a firstlocation on an exterior of the enclosure to permit intake of air fromthe exterior of the enclosure to an interior of the enclosure; an airexhaust location at a second location on the exterior of the enclosureto exhaust the air taken in through the air inlet location; and an airrouting path defined by the enclosure to direct the air from the airinlet location to the air exhaust location, in order: through one ormore first compartments in the enclosure, the one or more firstcompartments containing at least one of a compressor, a generator, orpower conversion circuitry; and through one or more second compartments,the one or more second compartments comprising an engine and a muffler.2. The power system as defined in claim 1, wherein the first location ison a side of the enclosure and the second location is at a top of theenclosure when the power system is installed in a predeterminedorientation.
 3. The power system as defined in claim 1, wherein thepower system is configured to provide adequate air flow with zeroinstallation clearance on sides of the enclosure that do not include theair inlet location or the air exhaust location.
 4. The power system asdefined in claim 1, wherein the enclosure does not include any other airinlet locations.
 5. The power system as defined in claim 1, wherein theair routing path is to route the air to cool at least one of thecompressor, the power conversion circuitry, the generator, the engine,or the muffler.
 6. The power system as defined in claim 1, wherein theair routing path is further to route the air to an air intake of theengine, the engine to use at least a portion of the air in the airrouting path for combustion.
 7. The power system as defined in claim 6,wherein the engine is arranged in the enclosure to have the air intakeof the engine near a second side of the enclosure that is opposite theside of the enclosure having the air inlet location.
 8. The power systemas defined in claim 7, wherein the air routing path is configured toroute the air the length of the enclosure from the air inlet location tothe air intake of the engine.
 9. The power system as defined in claim 1,wherein the enclosure comprises: a separation barrier between the one ormore first compartments and the one or more second compartments; and afan to urge air from the one or more first compartments to the one ormore second compartments around the separation barrier.
 10. The powersystem as defined in claim 1, wherein the compressor is configured toextract air from the air routing path and to pressurize the air, theengine configured to provide power to the compressor.
 11. The powersystem as defined in claim 1, wherein the air routing path is configuredto direct the air to cool multiple components within the enclosure, themultiple components comprising the engine.
 12. The power system asdefined in claim 1, further comprising an engine fan configured to pullthe air from the air inlet location through the one or more firstcompartments and to push the air through the engine and to the airexhaust location through the one or more second compartments.
 13. Thepower system as defined in claim 1, wherein the enclosure is configuredto provide service access to the interior of the enclosure to provideaccess to serviceable components of the power system from one side ofthe enclosure.
 14. The power system as defined in claim 13, wherein theserviceable components comprise the compressor and the engine.
 15. Thepower system as defined in claim 1, wherein the air routing pathincludes a volume underneath the engine mounted in the enclosure. 16.The power system as defined in claim 15, wherein the one or more firstcompartments include at least a first portion of the volume.
 17. Thepower system as defined in claim 16, wherein a second portion of thevolume directs air from the one or more first compartments to the one ormore second compartments in the air routing path.
 18. The power systemas defined in claim 1, wherein the compressor is elevated above acenterline of the generator, and the power conversion circuitry islocated underneath the compressor.
 19. The power system as defined inclaim 1, wherein the air routing path travels through or around, inorder: the one or more first compartments in the enclosure including thecompressor, the power conversion circuitry, and the generator;underneath the engine; at least one of through or around the engine;past the muffler; and out the top of the enclosure.
 20. The power systemas defined in claim 1, wherein the generator is configured to pass atleast a portion of the air from the one or more first compartments tothe one or more second compartments through the generator to cool thegenerator.
 21. The power system as defined in claim 1, wherein the airrouting path reverses a direction of travel along at least one axisbetween the one or more first compartments and the one or more secondcompartments.
 22. The power system as defined in claim 1, furthercomprising one or more brackets or braces to support the engine and thegenerator within the enclosure and to define at least a portion of theair routing path.